Cap with visible float gauge

ABSTRACT

The present invention, a cap for liquids with a visible float gauge, is comprised of a hollow, cylindrical cap made of transparent material, a color coded display of levels and/or a text display, and a fixed inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is attached to the cap top at its top end. The inner piece is concentrically placed in the cylindrical cap inside of the float gauge, and a float gauge is internally retained by the cap. The cap is then screwed on to a liquid reservoir as is found on a typical internal combustion engine, whereupon the float gauge floats on the liquid and is seen through the transparent part of the cap. The float gauge is the indicator, giving a liquid level reading.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a liquid-level-indicatingapparatus and particularly to a cap with built-in dipstick.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Maintaining proper liquid level for the lubrication and hydraulics ofvehicles or anything using an internal combustion engine to thatspecified by the manufacturer is significant in preventing accidents andpremature wear. Many owners and service technicians utilize the dipstickto check liquid levels. To do so one must remove the dipstick and cap,take a rag, wipe the dipstick clean, insert the dipstick, remove it,visually inspect the liquid level, and replace the dipstick and cap. Inthe case of checking the oil level, it can be very difficult to see theoil on the dipstick. Often the level is not read because ofinconvenience or misread because of difficulty.

The prior art discloses liquid-level-indicating apparatus of variousdesigns and means; regular dipstick patents: Dipstick guide U.S. Pat.No. 4,155,167 A to DeLano Jun. 22, 1978; Dipstick U.S. Pat. No.2,314,430 A to Harry Feb. 26, 1941; Oil level indicator U.S. Pat. No.3,316,647 A to Sven May 12, 1965.

Patents that incorporate a dial indicator must be read against a clocktype face. All these type patents are complicated, expensive tomanufacture; Fuel tank gauge U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,706 A to Stiever Dec.22, 1986;

Portable fuel gauge for fuel tank US 20100089306 A1 to Dunkle and Frank;Fuel gauge cap U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,105 B2 to Holz; Motorcycle fuel levelgauge U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,472 A to Brown and Hamann; Ratcheting gaugecap U.S. Pat. No. 8,434,364 B2 to Bork and Holz; Moped and motorcyclegas tank lid with an integrated level indicator via a viewing windowwith a green marking ball operated by a plastic hose with a float DE3617073 A1 to Oehl; Display device for displaying oil level in anengine, has float connected by rod to level indicator that shows oillevel over a wide range, thus a driver can see at any time current oillevel DE 10101592 A1 to Polewarczyk; Display device has a float (1)supported by the oil in a reservoir or sump. An indicator (3) fordisplaying the oil level is connected to the float using a connectionrod (2), Oct. 24, 2007; Motorcycle oil level display apparatus CN101417680 B to Chen Liangqian.

Although these prior art patents disclose various liquid levelindicating methods and devices, none of them disclose a liquid levelgauge of the particular type as disclosed and claimed herein.

It is thus a primary objective of the present invention to provide a capwith visible float gauge which utilizes the float gauge as the levelindicator. Another objective of the present invention is to provide acap with visible float gauge which utilizes a transparent housing havingcolor coded levels for ready-viewing of liquid level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cap. It has a visible floatgauge, a cylindrical hollow cap made of transparent material, a fixedcylinder, and has color coded levels and/or text levels. The whole unitis attached to a liquid reservoir. The inner cylinder is locatedconcentrically and attaches to the top cap at one end. The lower end iscolor coded and/or text coded to indicate a low liquid level.

The cap is made of transparent material, and a float gauge is internallyretained. The cap is then screwed on to a liquid reservoir as is foundon a typical engine, whereupon the gauge floats on top of the liquid.The gauge is the indicator and rises and falls with the liquid level andgives a liquid level reading.

These, together with other objects of the invention, are pointed outclearly in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.For a better understanding of this present invention, its operatingadvantages and the specific objects attained by its use, referenceshould be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the ballooned assembly section view showing all theelements. (Refer to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 for color models for furtherclarification.)

-   -   FIG. 1, No. 1 shows the threads of the cap, which when screwed        into a reservoir, will tighten the cap in order to retain the        fluid in that reservoir.    -   FIG. 1, No. 2 shows the transparent part of the cap. It is        transparent so that the float gauge, which is internal, can be        easily seen without having to remove the cap.    -   FIG. 1, No. 3 shows the inner fixed cylinder, which is inside        No. 2 (the transparent part of the cap). No. 3, the inner fixed        cylinder, has a clear top part, and in our illustration (that        is, the color model), the bottom part is red. This bottom part,        which is red in the color model illustration, will be seen when        the fluid level is low.    -   FIG. 1, No. 4 is the actual float gauge itself. The actual float        gauge begins where No. 3 ends, the top section of which is        illustrated in green as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. Also, this        actual float gauge's lower section is illustrated in yellow as        shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. While the specific colors chosen can        be different, in this illustration, green indicates that the        fluid level is good, or full, or at correct level; and yellow        indicates that the fluid level is overfilled, that is, higher        than the correct level.    -   The float gauge moves up automatically when the fluid is being        filled, and the fluid moves down automatically as the fluid is        used or depleted.    -   FIG. 1, No. 5 is the retainer, which holds the float in place.

Note that in all succeeding figures, the reservoir is illustrated. Thisreservoir or any reservoir is not part of the current invention. Theillustration appears here merely to show how the cap assembles with areservoir.

FIG. 2 is an elevational perspective section view of the presentinvention showing all the elements (including the reservoir, which isnot part of the present invention). This representation is included tofurther illustrate the invention from a different visual perspectivethan that shown in FIG. 1. Due to the medium employed for thisillustration, the view is more of a three-dimensional representation andis in color. View is same as FIG. 1 taken from a different angle, beingrotated 180 degrees from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the visible float gauge cap as it appearswhen the liquid is at the correct level, designated by a color. In thisillustration, said float gauge cap is attached to a reservoir. Reservoiris not part of the current invention. Notice that only one color appearswhen the liquid is at the correct level. In this case, the color isgreen. Note that when the liquid is at the correct level, theoverfill-level color (in this case, yellow) is hidden out of sight belowthe correct-level color. Also, when the liquid level is at the correctlevel, the liquid-level-low color (in this case, red) is hidden out ofsight behind the correct-level color.

FIG. 4 shows the visible float gauge cap's appearance when the liquid isat a low level. In this case, red indicates a low liquid level.

FIG. 5 shows the visible float gauge cap's appearance when the liquid isat an overfill level, that is, it is filled above the recommendedamount. In this case, yellow indicates a liquid at an overfill level.

What is claimed as being new and therefore desired to be protected byLetters Patent of the United States is as follows:
 1. A cap with visiblefloat gauge comprised of: a hollow cylindrical cap having a first endand a second end, said cylindrical cap being made of transparentmaterial, a plurality of liquid level markings on said cylindrical cap,an internal or external thread formed within said cylindrical cap atsaid second end thereof, for mounting on a liquid reservoir typicallyfound in vehicles or machines having lubrication, liquids, orhydraulics; and a float gauge marked with color coded levels, or anyother means, that indicate high, correct, and low liquid level; saidfloat gauge being retained by an internal shoulder and said float gaugerests on said shoulder at lowest liquid level position.
 2. The cap withvisible float gauge as set forth in claim 1, wherein attaching said capto said liquid reservoir prevents spilling and leakage through openingof said liquid reservoir.
 3. A cap with visible float gauge comprisedof: a tubular cap having a first end and a second end, said tubular capbeing made of transparent material, a means on said cap for attachingsaid cap to a liquid reservoir; an inner piece, positioned within saidtubular cap, said inner piece being a float, in alignment with the capwhen said tubular cap is attached to a liquid reservoir so that movementof said inner piece within said tubular cap slides in sight of theoperator and serves as the indicator of the liquid level; a float gaugewithin said tubular cap, the moveable part of sight gauge, saidindicator is floating proportionately to the liquid level therein sothat an indicator position can be read to indicate liquid level in thereservoir.
 4. The cap with visible float gauge of claim 3 wherein thereare color coded levels and/or text within said tubular cap and on float,said float gauge is painted two colors, one indicating proper liquidlevel and one indicating overfill.
 5. The piece of the cap of claim 4 isto move over and conceal a color and/or text on the fixed part of thecap at proper liquid level which as the float moves down, reveals saidcolor and/or text, indicating position of low.
 6. The cap with visiblefloat gauge of claim 3 further includes a retainer of the float gauge,so the float gauge remains attached to the cap when cap is removed. 7.The cap with visible float gauge of claim 3, wherein there is aninternal shoulder within said retainer and the float gauge rests on theshoulder. When resting on the shoulder, it is in the down position andindicates a reading of low or no liquid.